American likely voters say 55 - 27 percent that Arizona Sen. John McCain is better qualified than
Illinois Sen. Barack Obama to deal with Russia and now trails the Democrat 47 - 42 percent,
according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

This compares to a 50 - 41 percent Sen. Obama lead in a July 15 poll by the independent
Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

In this latest survey, Democrats say 48 - 31 percent that Obama is better qualified to deal
with Russia, while Sen. McCain is seen as better by Republicans 86 - 5 percent and independent
voters 55 - 24 percent.

"The poll underlines Sen. Barack Obama's strengths and weaknesses. Strengths: He leads
overall and he's strong with women, even stronger among young folks and astronomically strong
with blacks. Weaknesses: Sen. John McCain beats him among white voters, men, older folks and
white Catholics," said Maurice Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Next week's Democratic Convention, a week-long political campaign commercial, should
help Obama - at least until the Republican Convention, a week-long celebration of McCain the
following week," Carroll added.

"In dealing with Russia, even a large minority of Democrats think McCain would do
better than Obama," Carroll added. "We'll have to see how important this issue becomes in the
Fall campaign."

Only 20 percent of Obama supporters and 17 percent of McCain backers say they might
change their mind before Election Day.

A total of 89 percent of American voters say they are "entirely comfortable" or "somewhat
comfortable" having a black President, while 8 percent are "somewhat uncomfortable" or "entirely
uncomfortable."

A total of 64 percent of voters say they are "entirely comfortable" or "somewhat
comfortable" with a President who is 72 years old, while 34 percent are "somewhat
uncomfortable" or "entirely uncomfortable."

"More Americans are willing to admit prejudice against an older candidate than against a
black candidate," Carroll said.

The economy is the single most important issue in their vote, 52 percent of American
voters say, followed by 16 percent who list the war in Iraq, 10 percent who list health care and 9
percent who cite terrorism.

Obama leads McCain 49 - 41 percent among those who list the economy, 61 - 30 percent
among those who cite the war and 66 - 24 percent among those worried about health care.
McCain leads 76 - 19 percent among those who worry most about terrorism.

From August 12 -17, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,547 likely voters nationwide, with
a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio and
nationwide as a public service and for research.
For more data -- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, or call (203) 582-5201.

1. If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates were
Barack Obama the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would you vote?
(If undecided q1) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or McCain? This table
includes "Leaners".

TREND: If the election for President were being held today, and the candidates
were Barack Obama the Democrat and John McCain the Republican, for whom would
you vote? (If undecided) As of today, do you lean more toward Obama or McCain?
This table includes "Leaners".

5. Putting aside for a moment the question of who each party's nominee might be,
what is your preference for the outcome of the 2008 presidential election - that
a Democrat be elected president or that a Republican be elected president?

6. If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about - An African-
American president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely
comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely
uncomfortable with?

TREND: If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about an African-
American president of the United States, is that something you'd be entirely
comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely
uncomfortable with?

7. If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about - Someone entering
office as president of the United States at age 72, is that something you'd be
entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable or entirely
uncomfortable with?

TREND: If you honestly assessed yourself, thinking in general about someone
entering office as president of the United States at age 72, is that something
you'd be entirely comfortable with, somewhat comfortable, somewhat uncomfortable
or entirely uncomfortable with?